Recent GJBSAR Photo EventsClick or tap on any image to see the photo in full size.
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Flag Day Honors to Chuck and Brenda Croxton (center) with Color Guard Rick & Terry accompanied by Dale, Jeff, & Jay (L to R)
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GKBSAR Flag Day Award, the Croxton's Home in Bloomington IL
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Scout Troop 920 presented with a check from Dale Simpson for donations from GJB members towards the Troop's summer project and to express our appreciation for their 50-flag display.
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New member Stuart Palmer (center) with Rick Milner (L) & GJB President Jay Cummins (R)
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Pictured L to R (Jay Cummins (GJBSAR President), Vivaan Reddy, Jeff Stout, (Chair of our GJBSAR Youth Awards/Education Committee), Jeff Case (ILSSAR President).
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GJRSAR SILVER ROTC MEDAL & SCHOLARSHIP: 2026 Winner is Cadet Corey Urban of the Illinois State University Redbird Battalion Army ROTC. Cadet Urban was awarded the Sons of the American Revolution Silver ROTC Medal
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Members of the General Joseph Bartholomew SAR Chapter participated in the Bloomington Memorial Day Parade 2026, honoring those who gave their lives in service to the United States.
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Compatriots Terry Willis, Sonny Rudzinski & Rick Milner represented the GJB SAR chapter in Revolutionary War attire during the Bloomington Memorial Day Parade 2026.
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🇺🇸 2026 Outstanding Citizenship Awards Luncheon: Celebrating Our Future Leaders and Exemplary Citizens. On April 9, 2026, the General Joseph Bartholomew Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution proudly hosted its 27th Annual Outstanding Citizenship Scholarship Luncheon at the Bloomington Country Club. Dr. James Shadid, President of Bradley University, was the keynote speaker. The centerpiece of this annual event is the recognition of 19 exceptional high school seniors from across our region—young men and women who exemplify the very best of citizenship through academic excellence, leadership, service, and involvement in athletics and extracurricular activities. Two scholarships were awarded to Andrew Naour (NCHS) and Calvin Andrews (Heyworth HS). Four adult Outstanding Citizenship Awards were also announced: Chris Knoll, David Williams, Dale Simpson, James Shadid. See more details and photos on the students.
19 high school seniors from schools in Central Illinois honored with 2026 Outstanding Citizenship Awards
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Outstanding Citizenship Scholarship Award winners, Andrew Naour (NCHS) & Calvin Andrews (Heyworth HS) with Jay Herrman (GJB Genealogist) and GJB Web administrator)
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Dr. James Shadid, Bradley University President. Keynote Speaker for the Outstanding Citizenship Award Luncheon and 2026 Adult Outstanding Citizenship Award with Jay Cummins, GJBSAR President
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2026 Adult Outstanding Citizenship Award: Dale Simpson – For leadership and service across multiple initiatives, including America 250 planning, public relations, and community engagement.
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2026 Adult Outstanding Citizenship Award: Chris Knoll – A dedicated community servant and Scouting leader whose impact spans decades of mentoring and service.
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2026 Adult Outstanding Citizenship Award: Dr. David B. Williams – GJBSAR Webmaster, whose leadership and dedication have strengthened the Chapter’s communications and digital presence.
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March 12th Meeting: R to L, Rick Milner, Membership Chair, new members Luke Pool, Bob LaPorte, and Tom Hansen, Jay Cummins, chapter President
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Iroquois County 2025 Citizenship Award Recipients (L to R): Jay Cummins, GJB President; Lydia Heeren – Watseka Community HS; Lillie Harris – Milford HS; Josie Neukomm – Cissna Park SR HS; Brady Perzee – Clifton Central HS; Madelyn Loy – Donovan HS; Joel Arechiga – Iroquois West HS; Terry Willils – GJB Sergeant at Arms, Chair-Veterans/ROTC; Rick Milner – GJB Secretary, Chair-Color Guard
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Iroquois County Awards Program Presenter – Maryury Buhr
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GJBSAR Chapter Veterans 11 November 2025
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GJBSAR President, Jay Cummins with Veteran Members, 11 November 2025
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Guest speaker, Martin F. Conatser, former National Commander of the American Legion
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New members, Mark Reeves & Brad Dearing with Rick Milner, GJB Secretary/Historian
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Dale Simpson and David Williams were awarded the Henry Knox award for outstanding achievements/accomplishments by President, Jay Cummins
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Rob Jones and Rick Milner were awarded the Roger Sherman medal for outstanding services to the chapter by President, Jay Cummins
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Dale Simpson, head of the Liberty Tree project committee with GJBSAR president, Jay Cummins
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GJBSAR members joining in on the mulching event at the Liberty Tree Dedication, 25 Oct 2025
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Key participants of the GJBSAR Liberty Tree dedication program mulching the tree set on the Consititution Trail, 25 October 2025
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GJBSAR members attending the 50th Anniversary Celebration, October 18th, 2025
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GJB President, Jay Cummins, with the 50th Anniversary speaker, Clifton Truman Daniel
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Long serving past president of GJBSAR, Gordon Bidner, sharing his memories with the members and guests at the 50th luncheon, Bloomington Country Club, Oct 18, 2025
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Constitution Day 2025: McLean Count Sheriff Matt Lane, Bloomington Emergency Communication Manager Darren Wolf, Bloomington Police Detective Kevin Raisbeck, Trooper Joseph Steward and Trooper Logan Wunder both of Illinois State Police Troop #4. The Life Saving Certificate and Medal were awarded to Dispatcher Isabella Petrilli. Master Sergeant Billy Quinn and Acting Master Sergeant Ben Reichard of Illinois State Police Troop #5 were awarded Heroism Certificates and Medals. Steve Kern (Chair of the Committee) and Jay Cummins (GJB President) shown on far left and right)
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Constitution Day 2025: Judge Kording's keynote was titled “You be the Judge: The Enduring Relevance of Textualism in Defense of Constitutional Fidelity”
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New SAR Member Micah Cutter, Randy Boyd, & Ray Boyd with Jay Cummins, GJB President, and Rick Milner, GJB Membership Chair, on the left and right.
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Dr. Tieleman speaking on the role of the Dutch & Irish in support of the American Revolution, "The Patriot Atlantic."
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Steve Kern earned the Liberty Medal for recruiting and sponsoring over ten new GJB members in 2024, presented by Jay Cummins GJB President
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Steve Kern, Flag Day committee chair, presents 2025 Flag Day Award to William & Marlene Landstrom of Bloomington
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June 14th Flag Day. Robert Null II presented with the 2024 GJB King Eagle Scout Award with his parents, Angela & Robert Null, Steve Kern, Eagle Scout Committee Chair. Robert then recited his patriotic themed essay titled "Jack Jouett's Ride."
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Carol Castellon's large collection of "Flags of Our Fathers" at the Flag Day GJBSAR event, June 14th
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Some 130 students, parents, and school representatives in attendance for the annual GJBSAR Good Citizenship luncheon at Bloomington CCwith over 20 SAR & DAR members. Photo by Brooklyn Shaw
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Twenty two seniors from McLean & Woodford Counties honored for Good Citizenship by GJBSAR chapter. Photo by Brooklyn Shaw
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Meika Joy Bender (Eureka H.S.) presented with A.M. King GJBSAR Citizenship Scholarship. Photo by Brooklyn Shaw
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Nathan Samuel Steffen (Lexington H.S.) receiving the A.M. King GJBSAR Citizenship Scholarship. Photo by Brooklyn Shaw
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Bohdan Louis Zeleznik (LeRoy H.S.) receiving the A.M. King GJBSAR Citizenship Scholarship. Photo by Brooklyn Shaw
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GJBSAR President Jay Cummins presents an Outstanding Good Citizenship award at Tri-Point High School in Cullom to Kasandra Hughes
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Kyle Bliss, Woodland High School, awarded the GJBSAR Outstanding Citizenship Award by Jay Cummins, GJBSAR President, 2025
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Jacob Dewald, Pontiac High School, awarded the GJBSAR Outsanding Citizenship Award, 2025
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GJBSAR President Jay Cummins presents an Outstanding Good Citizenship award at TriPoint High School in Cullom to Kasandra Hughes, 2025
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Flanagan-Cornell High School GJBSAR Outstanding Citizenship Award recipient, Tiffany Rustman. presented by Rick Milner, GJBSAR Secretary & Membership Chair, 2025
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The GJBSAR chapter has chosen Robert Null II for the 2024 GJBSAR King Eagle Scout Essay Award. Congratulations to Robert (Troop 918): the presentation of his award and recitation of his patriotic essay "Jack Jouett's Ride" was made at the GJB meeting on Flag Day, June 14th, 2025.
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GJRSAR SILVER ROTC MEDAL & SCHOLARSHIP: 2025 Winner is Cadet Tyler Evans. Cadet Evans is a sophomore at ISU from Naperville, Illinois. Presenting the award is GJBSA President Jay Cummins and Dan Leifel, Veterans/ROTC chair. The Silver ROTC medal and certificate endeavors to foster the principle of “citizen-soldier” exemplified by the original Minutemen.
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New member, Mark Gurra, with his wife Amy, and GJB President, Jay Cummins. North Aurora IL, April 26, 2025
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Rainey and cold! GJB members (L to R: Steve Kern, Jay Cummins, Clay Held and Sonny Rudsinski) braved the cold & rainy weather on December 14 to be present for the Wreaths Across America event at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery
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GJB member, Steve Kern, laid a wreath at the recently added memorial plaque for three Revolutionary War Veterans buried in Stout's Grove Cemetery near Danvers IL on Wreaths Across America Day, 14th December 2024.
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Sonny Rudsinski laying wreaths for his brothers in law (Alan Lee and Byrl E. Haggard), one is next to Dorothy Gage who is namesake for Dorothy in Wizard of Oz
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GJBSAR Meeting 11 March 2025:
Jay Cummins, GJB President, followed by new members Kyle & Brandon Roberts, Bob Harschbarger for sons Tim & Michael, Steve Jiles, and Clay Held
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11 March 2025 GJBSAR Meeting: Member Kevin Roberts, the evening speaker, gave a talk on his patriots & their role in the Battle of Concord & Lexington
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Nov 10th Veteran's Day Event. Veteran GJBSAR members & guests honored at the November 8th Veteran's Day Luncheon. Thank you all for your service!
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Dec 13th. Iroquois County Outstanding Citizenship awards to 6 high school seniors. L to R: Jay Cummins, Dr Albert Day; award recipients Gage Vogel, Ava Carlson, James Newell, Madison Smith, Keegan Reed & James Newell; new GJB member Jay Herrman
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Nov 10th Veteran's Day Event. Franklin "Bud" Lewis. Bud is a Navy WWII veteran who is turning 99 in December. So fun to celebrate with you Bud! Bud's son Bill joined us to celebrate as well as Past GJB President, Gordon Bidner.
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Jay Cummins presents Lance McCormick with a Roger Sherman award for his service to the GJB chapter of SAR
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We presented Hadley Welsch with his Military service certificate and medal. Thank you Hadley for your service!
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Gordon Bidner recognizes Sonny Rudskinski for his donation to the George Washington Endowment Fund
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Guest speaker for 10th October Meeting: Rand Veerman, Pres. McLean County Genealogical Society (tmcgs.org)
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Oct 8th. GJB President, Jay Cummins, presenting David Williams, GJB Web Administrator, with the National SAR 1st place award for the General R.B. Vance best national chapter website 2024
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October 10, 2024 GJBSAR Dinner Meeting: Jay Cummins, GJB President, followed by new members Terry Willis, Jeff Stout, Todd Smith, Dale Simpson, Rodger Salzman (Wyoming transfer) & Kevin Roberts
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GJBSAR Stout's Grove Cemetery Project 29 September 2024 dedicating a memorial plaque to three Patriots
Left to Right-Thomas Ashby (Illinois Society of SAR Color Guard), Kerry Barnes (descendant of Ebenezer Barnes), Steve Kern (Chairman of GJB SAR Patriot Graves Committee), Joe Barnes & Jim Barnes (descendants of Ebenezer Barnes) and Roger Meredith (descendant of Thomas McClure).
Cindy Wurmnest, Danvers historian, shared the history of Stout's Grove and surrounds
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Thomas McClure
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Jacob Williamson & Ebenezer Barnes on opposites sides or the grave stone
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Steve Shipley’s flying of US Flag in Lamplighter subdivision at Towanda, IL. Steve and Sherri were 2023 GJB Flay Day contest winners
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Gary Simpkins of the Simpkins Military History Museum in Heyworth, IL.
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ILSSA Color Guard at the June 11, 2023 Patriot Grave Marking for David Haggard at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery in Bloomington, IL.
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Tomb of Abraham Lincoln at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois.
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